May 2009

May 31, 2009

After four consecutive French Open titles, the King Of Clay and number one player in the world, Rafael Nadal was dethroned by Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6. It had to happen sometime. It's just too bad it wasn't in a five set final.

On the bright side, now he, like Venus Williams will have more time to practice on grass for Wimbledon.

Still love ya' Rafa!

There will also be a new women's champion since Ana Ivanovic was bounced by Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-3.

May 27, 2009

Because I had a close encounter with Adam Lambert and even exchanged words with the glam "American Idol" runner-up!

I know I overuse the word cute--but he's so cuuuuuute!

His eyes are much more piercing in person and he's got that same lanky swagger that he does on stage. He was wearing a white jacket and grey t-shirt and had on his famous black stud earrings.

My encounter happened right after he'd completed an interview during his recent whirlwind press junket to New York. I watched as he did the interview and once done, I squealed louder than the teeny boppers surrounding him.

May 25, 2009

The last couple of weeks you might have been hearing about the television network upfronts. For those of you who may not know that's when the networks hold meetings with the press and advertisers to announce their new shows for the fall/spring/summer TV seasons and allow the advertisers to buy time "up front." So here's a look at what's coming to your TV sets this fall.

Over at the Eye network there's been some show shuffling when it comes to "Medium" starring Patricia Arquette. NBC canceled the show, but because CBS produces and distributes the show, they picked it up to use as part of a new mystical Friday lineup of "Ghost Whisperer" at 8 PM, "Medium" at 9 PM and "Numbers" at 10 PM.

CBS continues to project stability with its schedule. They have embraced who they are and what they do well and are moving away from risks like Harper’s Island and Jericho. They continue to give their audience what they want and respond to.

The Black Hollywood Files has several trailers of new ABC shows including a new reality show from Mark Burnett called "Shark Tank." It's a show where ordinary people get to pitch their ideas to five hot shot business people who may or may not decide to invest with them. Based on the trailer, the show's set includes real sharks in a real tank that contestants have to walk through to meet with their potential benefactors.

This is a post I wrote for last year's Memorial Day. After reading it over, I decided to re-post it. Thanks to all our brave men and women in uniform.

* * * * *

I'm lucky. I've never had to serve in a war or known someone close
who's died in one. Even though I learned the facts and figures of war
in school, the impact of war I learned from television and the movies.
In honor of Memorial Day, this post is about what I've learned about
war.

May 24, 2009

Crazy Dave (Neil McDonough) finally got his chance to avenge the death of his wife and daughter in last week's "Desperate Housewives" finale.

But before that happened all kinds of other developments were cooking in the stylish ovens of Wisteria Lane.

Carlos and Gabby took in his teen relative Anna, who turned out to be a master manipulator when it comes to the "xy" chromosome crowd.

When Gabby confronts the chippy about her wayward ways and the negative impact they're having on her own daughters, the chippy trembles her upper lip at Carlos and Gabby's thwarted.

Tom makes the grade after passing his college entrance exam but that joy is short lived.

Lynette, afraid her cancer is back, goes to the doctor. Turns out there's no cancer but she is pregnant with twins. Makes her think cancer might have been the lesser evil.

Karl has Orson roughed up to get him to leave Bree and her money. Because of Bree the tactic doesn't work. Karl isn't pleased but that doesn't stop him from making the moves on Bree. He challenges her to loosen up before planting a big wet one on her. That "shady lawyer vibe" is obviously a turn on 'cause Bree comes back for more.

And even I have to say Karl is looking mighty hot these days.

McCluskey and sister Roberta break into poor, dead Edie's house to get clues. They're caught by the cops and hear the news first hand that Dave's cover is blown. But it's too late, he's already driving Susan and little MJ to the country where he's gonna bump them off.

A little sidebar, there are rumors of a "Desperate Housewives" spinoff starring Kathryn Joosten and Lily Tomlin. What a great idea! Joosten should have had a show ages ago and if she weren't nearly 70 probably would have. She and Tomlin have been a hoot and a half as Karen and Roberta and I'd love to see them with their own series. Stay tuned.

But back to Crazy Dave. So, Mike and Kat are at the airport, ready to elope to Vegas. Then Mike watches a taped confession Dave left behind and which inadvertently got into Mike's luggage. Mike understandably freaks, stranding a clueless Kat at the airport while he rushes off to save Susan and MJ.

Mike warns Susan with a cellphone call and though she tries to stall so Mike can catch up, it doesn't work. Crazy Dave ties up Susan at the same intersection where his wife and daughter were killed. He plans for Mike's car to ram his while MJ's strapped in the back and Susan watches.

Diabolical and crazy.

At the last minute, Susan's pleas to Dave to consider what his daughter would think of what he was doing cause him to let MJ out of the car before Mike slams into him.

Mike gets banged up but is well enough to hop out and embrace MJ and Susan and then plant a big wet one on her.

Dave is still alive but ends up in a loony bin where he belongs. What do you want to bet we haven't seen the last of him?

The last scene takes place two weeks months later and is a church wedding. The pews are filled with Wisteria Lane residents and Mike is at the alter with a bride in a veiled white dress. As the minister pronounces them man and wife, Mike kisses the bride and we go to black.

Who's the bride!?

Is it Susan? Is it Kat? Is it someone he met within those two months?

My guess? It's, drumroll please........Susan!

Why, you ask? Because he only decided to marry Kat after Susan said she was marrying the Canadian who needed to stay in the country.

May 21, 2009

Well last night "American Idol" perpetuated yet another gross miscarriage of musical justice.

It was just wrong, wrong, wrong!

I mean really, making us suffer through a geriatric Rod Stewart trying to recapture his glory days was just too much.

Oh yeah, and America decided cute was better than talent and they gave the "American Idol" title to doe-eyed, cutie Kris Allen.

Talk about sneaking in under the radar.

If America was going for cute and competent, they could have just given the crown to Anoop. Why make Adam jump through hoops weeks on end if you were only going to give it to the guy who teaches Sunday School in his spare time?

I mean really, people. How many times did I say Kris should go home? Oh must have been 10 or 12 at least. And still you kept him around.

No one was more surprised in that auditorium than Kris Allen himself. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a very nice guy, but the best talent in the competition? No.

This is "American Idol" however, and America gets the last word. America has spoken.

Final Idol Thoughts:

The 4th judge may have co-written that song, but if it was so good,
why do I keep hearing David Cook singing his winning song in my head?

Allison Iraheta and Cyndi Lauper: a match made in Henna Heaven. Very nice duet.

One
too many group numbers. I know they're plugging the tour and
everything but this has got to be the worst sounding group in Idol
history.

Steve Martin and his backwoods "Deliverance" band, accompanied by Megan and What's His Name, were beyond painful.

May 20, 2009

Adam Lambert and Kris Allen had their vocal duel for the "American Idol" crown and honestly no matter what the judges tried to pretend, it wasn't even close.

Kris Allen is likable, he's talented and he's a decent singer, but I'm sorry folks, if America votes on talent alone, Adam Lambert should be the next American Idol.

The excitement when Adam is on stage is rock star quality already and Kris simply can't match that. Add to that a magnificent voice he can control at will, and the kid is a winner.

The closest Kris came to giving Adam any worries on the final night of competition was during his performance of "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone."

Here's my view of how the evening shook out:

Round 1, Singer's Choice

Adam Sang: "Mad World."

Verdict: It was heart wrenching and incredibly beautiful. Adam had me and the audience, smack in the middle of his palm until the very last note. Simon was wrong about it being too theatrical. I think he just said that so it wouldn't look like an Adam lock.

Kris sang: "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone."

Verdict: It was done as well as Kris could do it. He was expressive while giving the song his own special spin.

Round 1 Goes To: Adam Lambert.

Round 2, Simon Fuller's Choice

Adam Sang: "Change Is Gonna Come."

Verdict: The guy's got the full package and he brought it on this song. It was soulful and riveting.

Kris Sang: "What's Going On?"

Verdict: Simon had it just right when he said it was like a couple of guys sitting around their basement strumming to some Marvin Gaye. The performance was dismal and at this stage of the game Kris needed to do make an impact with the song and he didn't.

Round 2 Goes To: Adam Lambert.

Round 3, Winner's Song Co-Written By The Fourth Judge

The Song: "No Boundaries."

Verdict: The song was okay. No worse than last year's song and no better. It does what it's supposed to do which is to bring tears to the eyes of the person who sings it after they win and to the eyes of the viewers watching. It starts low, builds to a crescendo, talks about mountains and valleys and dreams and success, and it holds us for a moment...and then it ends.

Standard "Idol" song formula. I could compose it at this point. In fact, next year I should.

Adam's Version: The kid's a star and it showed even with this mediocre song. I loved every minute of it.

Kris' Version: I really like the way Kris began the song, but then the song got too big for his singing britches. Notice how the judges glossed over that by saying how the song was too high for him? Well what the heck did they use it for? The fourth judge even told viewers to judge Kris on the entire season and not that song.

I ask again, well what the heck did they use it for?

Round 3 Goes To: Adam Lambert.

Final Thoughts:

I found it interesting Simon Fuller chose classic R&B songs. Don't know what that means, just found it
interesting.

As usual, Simon hated the "compose by numbers" winner's song, but
for the first time ever, we didn't have to hear him complain about the song. He just judged the
contestant's version of it. I think we're making progress.

For once it didn't seem to matter that Kris chose to sing last. Whether he sang before him or after, Adam would have blown Kris out of the water, just like he did.

Predictions

Should Win: Adam Lambert.

Will Win: Drum roll, please.............Adam Lambert.

And did you hear what Ryan said? The show will go over so set your DVRs accordingly or you might miss Adam's big finish.

May 19, 2009

ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" ended their fifth season last week with a finale chock full of romance and angst.

There was Izzie Steven's in her beautiful prom dress in that Great Grey's
Elevator of Death, seeing the doors open to reveal George O'Malley,
all decked out in his army uniform--007, licensed to kill. Or in this case, be killed. George and Izzie--both flatlining.

Will
either of them live to return to Seattle Grace this fall? Only Shonda
Rhimes and the lawyers negotiating their contracts know for sure.

May 18, 2009

Yes, I was shocked and surprised to actually see Jacob (Mark Pellegrino) in the flesh. Yes, I was I was stunned and pleased to see Rose and Bernard. Yes, I was thrilled and excited by the rock 'em, sock 'em action.

But nearly two hours of all that walking on the beach with Locke and Richard and Sun and Ben and the Others was making me nuts! Until the payoff.

The thing that made all that walking and confusion and frustration worthwhile. Remember how at the end of last year's season finale, I said it didn't eject me out of my chair?

Well man, what a difference a year makes! When those New Others opened up that trunk and dumped out John Locke's body, my own body flew out of my chair as if propelled by a rocket.

Wow!

Here are some more incredibly wonderful and startling things/questions/observations about this season's finale:

Someone give Josh Holloway an Emmy nomination and then submit that scene of him trying to hold onto Juliet as she's being sucked into the Swan magnetic pit. She was wonderful, he was wonderful and I was nearly sobbing like a baby. Great, great scene.

Just when I'm ready for someone to poke a sharp metal stick into Ben's brain, they make him almost, kinda sympathetic again. That scene where he's like a jealous little boy, accusing Jacob of ignoring him in favor of John? Really good stuff from Michael Emerson.

All that going back and forth by Kate, Sawyer and Juliet: "Should they stop Jack?" "Shouldn't they stop Jack?" "They're stopping Jack." "They're helping Jack." God, it was just as bad as popping in and out of time! I was getting a nose bleed.

What was so fabulous though was Jack thinking the bomb was going to change things and Juliet, Sawyer and Kate thinking the bomb was going to keep them the same. It seems Miles got through to somebody. They all wanted the bomb to go down the pit, but I'm pretty sure they expected different outcomes.

Who the heck is that Ilana chick and how did she get her face bashed in?

Notice how Jacob touched Kate, Sawyer, Jack, Sayid, Hurley and Locke when he met them off the island?

Notice how Sayid and Hurley were the only Oceanic survivors Jacob approached after they returned from the island?

Notice how Jacob saved Sayid's life, but not Nadia's by keeping him from walking into the street?

May 17, 2009

Last month a young woman named Aisa McGowan was murdered by a stalker who used Facebook and YouTube to harrass her.

A few weeks later, Gena of the blog Out On The Stoopwrote about her frustrations with the story and how she wanted to do something. What she came up with is an idea for video PSAs alerting folks to the prevalence of violence against women.

May 13, 2009

I didn't like any of the performances last night. The only good judges' song pick was Paula's for Danny Gokey and though we're all impressed that Simon has Bono's personal cellphone number, he could have saved the effort 'cause Adam's version of U2's excellent, "One," was awful.

I still love him and I still think he should win, but if he's upset, it;'ll be because of that performance.

Danny's "Dance Little Sister" wasn't bad, but I'm not a member of the Danny Gokey fan club. Danny's "You Are So beautiful?" You are so boring.

Randy and Kara picked "Apologize" for Kris Allen, but they must have been trying to sink him with that lousy pick. And thank you, thank you Simon for saying, after Kara criticized Kris, "You can't choose a song for him and then blame him for doing the song!"

He was absolutely right.

The only good contestant pick, which was also performed well, was Kris Allen singing "Heartless."

Predictions

Should Go Home: Kris Allen

Will Go Home: Danny Gokey

Might Go Home If Kris Allen's Home Girls Get In Gear: Adam Lambert, but I really, really, really don't think so.

May 12, 2009

Are there really right brain people and left brain people? That is people controlled by intuition alone (right brain), and people controlled by logic alone (left brain)?

Or are we all a combination of both, with one side or the other taking the lead based on our life circumstances?

Last night's season finale of "House" explored all those questions and once again put the good doctor's complex psyche on display in an excellent episode.

The symptoms of this week's patient include an inability to control his
left arm due to brain surgery which completely severed his right brain
from his left. It's like his left arm is controlled by a completely
different person with its own likes, dislikes and desires.

House's (Hugh Laurie) view of the left brain/right brain relationship? The right
brain is a slacking freeloader who mooches off the left. But what
he doesn't realize is exactly how much his own right brain has been in
control for weeks now.

If you wanted to boycott a particular TV network because they canceled your favorite show, odds are it might be harder than you think. Take Fox's show "Dollhouse." It's one of those "on the bubble" shows and last week my fellow BlogHer CE Sweetney posted a plea to Fox not to cancel it. In the comment thread, one angry viewer, Bambi, threatened to boycott Fox and watch Hulu instead if "Dollhouse" gets cut. I had to give her the bad news that watching Hulu wouldn't hurt Fox in the least, because Hulu is partially owned by News Corp, which also owns Fox.

When another BlogHer CE, Nordette wrote in the thread that she was surprised Fox and Hulu were kissing cousins, I decided it was time for a post about who owns what in the modern TV/media family.

Incestuous relationships are everywhere. At a glance some of them only make sense on paper, but to media moguls like Rupert Murdoch and Sumner Redstone, those relationships are all part of their plans for world media domination.

May 11, 2009

Well Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg have done it again on "Saturday Night Live." Last time it was their beyond popular digital short, "Dick in a Box." This time it's a special Mother's Day short, "Motherlover."

The plot? Let's just say Justin and Andy decide the best gift they can give their mothers is in--ahem, the bedroom. See if you recognize the two mothers in the film.* Enjoy.

May 09, 2009

Thursday night I saw the new J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" in an IMAX theatre. The problem was, by the time I got there, I had to sit in a lower row of seats and spent the movie craning my neck around like a pelican to take in all the sci fi bounty.

But you're not interested in my discomfort, are you? You want to know about the movie.

Is it worth the hype? Is it up to J.J. Abrams' standards? Is it worth $10?

The brief answer to all those questions is a resounding, "Yes!"

The movie's not perfect mind you, but whether you're a die hard Trekkie or a newbie who's never heard William Shatner's name, the it's very entertaining and worth the two hour and $10 investment.

Most of you already know the movie goes back to the beginning of the "Star Trek" mythology and shows us these iconic characters in their youth.

The best and most important aspect of the movie is the fantastic cast. Chris Pine as Capt. Kirk is every bit as bold and brash and hot as you want him to be; Zachary Quinto as Spock is not a copycat, but a well rounded re-imagining of the character; Karl Urban is a wonderfully crusty, hilariously emoting Dr. McCoy; Simon Pegg and Anton Yelchin are Scotty and Chekov--dueling accents at their best; and John Cho is one kick-ass Sulu.

Uhura is there as well, but unlike Nichelle Nichols from the old TV series, she didn't do much for me. Zoe Saldana plays Uhura and she just doesn't have much of a presence. But we all know this movie's about the boys' club that is "Star Trek," and hopefully in upcoming sequels--because believe me, there will be several--we'll get some more dynamic actresses and women characters.

The action is fierce and first class. The fight scene with Kirk and Sulu on a suspended drilling platform is awesome. The Enterprise is a gleaming specimen of a spacecraft, worthy of its name. And the special effects are phenomenal, giving us a fresh look at space travel. The music by J.J.'s regular composer Michael Giacchino is iconic and new but doesn't forget to incorporate the Alexander Courage theme from the TV series during the end credits.

The plot is just okay, but functions as an explanation of factual changes in the characters lives that we've come to know so well. Leonard Nimoy's cameo as Spock Prime has a lot to do with that, but I'll let you discover how for yourselves.

The weakest link is Eric Bana as the villain Captain Nero. The character and the actor simply aren't good enough. Bana must come real cheap and be great to work with because nothing else would explain why he gets so many prominent roles that he simply can't carry off. Boring isn't too strong a word.

Despite that however, you can boldly spend your money and go see "Star Trek" and know you'll have a rip roaring time.

May 07, 2009

Trying to bring someone back from the dead is never a good idea. Look at Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, look at Willow and Buffy. It always leads to disaster. And when it comes to the world of "Battlestar Galactica," it can also lead to the destruction of the human race.

That's the basic life lesson Daniel Graystone (Eric Stolz) of the "BSG" prequel, "Caprica" will have to learn the hard way.

May 06, 2009

Last week we lost Matt Giraud, but that was only right since America and I agreed--again!

This week was rock and roll and they had Slash, formerly of the band Guns and Roses mentoring the Idols.

Now I gotta tell ya', I don't know nothin' about Slash. I never listened to Guns and Roses and most of that heavy metal crap was just noise to me. Having said that, listening to Slash play guitar told me the man's got skills.

Best Of The Night: Adam Lambert. So people, what else is new? The producers of Idol should just start recording his album now so it can be ready to drop the night he wins. I hate "Whole Lotta Love" by the way, but not when Adam sang it. Once again, a take no prisoners, fabulous performance.

Worst Of The Night: Kris Allen. And again this week, he wasn't that bad. I think "Come Together" was an excellent song for him and he gave it his all. It's just that he's like a steam engine in a race with bullet trains: totally out run.

Wish She'd Picked A Different Song: Allison Iraheta. Not that she sang "Cry Baby" badly, because I thought it was pretty good, but I wanted to see her rock out kinda like she did in her duet with Adam.

Best Moment Of The Night: Speaking of rocking out with Adam, after they finished their blow the roof off rendition of"Slow Ride," they shared this awesome hug on stage. You could tell they were both like, can you believe we're up here with the lights and the band and all these people rockin' out!? Talk about a genuine moment. It was great.

Best Slasher Film Scream: Danny Gokey. Simon stole the words right out of my mouth when he said Danny's screaming at the end of "Dream On" sounded like something from a "Friday the 13th" movie. Personally I thought he should play the lead in a movie called, "I Know What You Sang Last Summer."

On a totally different note, can someone tell me why Simon doesn't jump down Danny's pants about the stupid glasses and the pin striped vest on rock and roll night!? Let Allison put one fashion foot wrong and he's all up in her grill--as Jamie Foxx would say--but Fashion Pokey Gokey gets nothin'!

Could it be--sexism?

PredictionsShould Go Home: Kris Allen

Will Go Home: Kris Allen

Let's hear it again for Ricky Minor and the band that just won't quit!

Knowing The Value of Consensus: "Lost" had Jack telling the crash survivors, "Live together or die alone." President Obama is telling the country, "save together or default a loan."

Some Serious Spending: The "Lost" pilot was one of the most expensive ever produced for television. President Obama's recovery plan is spending money faster than the dollar machines in D.C. can print it.

Collaborating with Former Opponents: The crash survivors on "Lost" had to collaborate with the evil Benjamin Linus to get off the island. President Obama has had to collaborate with Hillary Clinton.

People Were Skeptical At First: There were a lot of doubters that a show about crash survivors on an exotic, mysterious island could be a success. There were a lot of doubters that a black man from an exotic, mysterious island could become president.

Critics Demanding Answers: Many viewers got frustrated with "Lost's" lack of answers to plot questions. Many politicians got frustrated with President Obama's lack of being able to say when he could clean up the economic mess it took about 20 years to create.

Mysterious Oracles Who Don't Make Any Kind Of Sense: "Lost" has Jacob. President Obama has Rush Limbaugh.

So tomorrow night when you watch "Lost's" 101st episode, just remember all the things this excellent show has in common with our excellent 44th President of the United States.